Gordon C. Hartke Obituary (1934 - 2014)

Gordon C. Hartke, 79 of Normal, died at 8:05 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Normal.Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Epiphany Catholic Church, withMonsignor Eric S. Powell officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, where the Rosary will be recited at 6:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Epiphany Catholic Church Building Fund. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.He was born July 13, 1934 in Dieterich, son of Frank Sr. and Mahala Cole Hartke. He married Elaine A. Vonderheide on August 15, 1959 in Shumway.Surviving are his wife, Elaine, of Normal; three daughters, Deborah (Roger) Thomas and Kimberly (Cary) Frey, both of Normal and Rebecca (Mike) Bair of Hudson and one son, Gregory (Jennifer) Hartke of McHenry. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Brittany Thomas, Jordan (Caleb) Gee, Alexandra Thomas, Tanner Frey, James and Andrew Bair and Emma and Madeline Hartke; one great-granddaughter, Adalynn Gee and one sister, Henrietta Ryan of Effingham.He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Jr and James Hartke and two sisters, Georganna Lyons and Alice Fortenbury.Gordon was a United States Army Veteran.He worked over 30 years and Illinois State University in the comptrollers office, retiring as Chief Accountant. Gordon was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church, where he was also Club Treasurer at the school, on the School Auction Committee and a member of the choir.Gordon enjoyed landscaping and working in his garden, he also enjoyed collecting art and paintings. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys.Gordon was a good and godly man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed by all.